Supreme Court Considers Alternatives to Firecracker Ban

The Supreme Court has postponed its decision on whether to maintain the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR during Di, citing concerns over non-compliance with previous orders.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale expressed frustration, stating that their directives are often ignored and that new approaches are needed to address pollution.

The court emphasized the necessity of action at a higher level and highlighted the importance of raising awareness, particularly among youth, to foster a shift in public behavior.

The government was questioned about the absence of a compliance report following its last order on firecracker restrictions, and the court requested detailed data on enforcement efforts.

The court directed the government to provide specifics on the sale of Chinese firecrackers and the actions taken against vendors, stressing that mere orders are insufficient without effective enforcement.

Judges also called for greater involvement of public figures, including sports personalities like Virat Kohli, to promote awareness and educate children on pollution control.